exercise

Bob is a retired New York City fireman. Injured on the job, he went into retirement decades ago. There is pain, decades worth. But there is also time, far too much of it – the kind you must figure out what to do with rather than watch yourself wither. For Bob and so many in our community, there comes a vivid, life-encapsulating story about dusting yourself off and then pushing up from a powerfully magnetic couch.

Is one of your new year’s resolutions to exercise more or be more physically active? If yes, where have you been doing your exercise routines? Nowadays, many people immediately think of private gyms like LA Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness as the most effective and/or popular places to get fit. But as we all know, gym membership is not cheap and not everyone can afford it. As I explained in my article Where Do You Exercise, there are other options, such as Fitness Zones at public parks, multi-use trails, the city itself, and the YMCA, which are free or more affordable. [Read more…] about Recreation at Shopping Malls?

Was one of your new year’s resolution to exercise more? If yes, where have you been doing your exercise routines? Nowadays, many people immediately think of private gyms like LA Fitness or 24 Hour Fitness as the most effective and/or popular places to get fit. But as we all know, gym membership is not cheap and not everyone can afford it. As part of my research as a doctoral student and my work as a park planner, I have learned that the median household incomes in a number of urban unincorporated communities (like Florence-Firestone, Lennox, East Los Angeles, and Willowbrook) in Los Angeles County are well below the countywide median ($55,909 in 2013). This suggests that many residents are more likely to rely on free or lower-cost options for recreation and exercise because they simply have little or no money to spend on amenities and programs offered by private recreational facilities. So what opportunities are there for those do not have the means to join a private gym? [Read more…] about Where Do You Exercise? – Public and affordable fitness resources in LA